HL Deb 15 December 2003 vol 655 c99WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent the European Union has an agreed common policy as regards the Republic of Moldova. [HL211]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The basis of the EU's relationship with Moldova is the EU/Moldova Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. Moldova is a priority in the EU's new Neighbours Policy, as agreed by the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) and endorsed by the European Council in June this year. This policy offers Moldova a much closer relationship with the EU provided Moldova carries out the necessary economic and political reforms. The EU will draw up next year an Action Plan for Moldova, to enable Moldova to identify key reform priorities and to help target EU assistance in support of these.

The EU also maintains an active role in assisting the peace settlement process for the frozen Transdneistria conflict in Moldova, working closely with OSCE partners.